Only 3 close local races, as turnout high for off-election year

The Snohomish County Canvassing Board was expected to certify general election results this week, after making decisions about questionable ballots.

The overall turnout countywide was high for an off-election year – 42.9 percent, with 204,044 ballots cast out of 475,926 registered voters. In the closest local race, for Arlington mayor, incumbent Barb Tolbert beat Don Vanney Jr. by 33 votes – 2,194 to 2,161, or 50 percent to 49.5 percent.

Arlington’s advisory vote to ban fireworks won by 65 votes – 2,304, or 50.8 percent, to 2,239, or 49.3 percent.

North County Regional Fire Authority Proposition 1 barely won by 72 votes, 3,567 to 3,495, or 50.5 percent to 49.5 percent.

None of the other local races were very close.

For Arlington school board, incumbent Jim Weiss got by Sheri Kelly 3,854 to 3,678, or 51 percent to 48.5 percent. Kelly Richards beat Jeff Siebert 7,002 to 6,321, or 52 percent to 47 percent, in a Marysville City Council race. Paul Galovin beat incumbent Mariana Maksimos 8,074 to 6,855, or 54 percent to 46 percent, in a Marysville school board race.

For Arlington City Council incumbent Sue Weiss lost to Michele Blythe 2,242 to 1,734, or 56 percent to 43 percent. For Marysville school board incumbent Tom Albright easily defeated Halleh Stickels 9,600 to 5,547, or 63 percent to 36 percent.

Steven Larson beat Jeremy Toponce for Lakewood school board. Larson had 2,024 votes to 1,133 for Toponce, or 63.6 percent to 35.6 percent. For North County RFA commissioner, Greg Oakes whipped Jeff Sinker 4,110 to 1,987, or 67 percent to 32 percent. Marysville Councilman Stephen Muller beat Katherine Iverson 9,002 to 4,105, or 68 percent to 31 percent. For Marysville mayor, Jon Nehring beat Michael Patrick 10,916 to 3,214, or 77 percent to 23 percent.